Above-the-ground swimming pool

ABSTRACT

The wall of an above-the-ground swimming pool is constructed with a panel element that is interchangeable with other panel elements, each of which has pre-formed openings for receiving the components of one of a variety of pool cleaning systems.

3 ,665 ,5 24 May 30, 1972 -formed openings riety of pool clean- Mashura...........

OConnell et a1.

DAntonio, Sr...

Leonard, Jr.

Hollander et a1.

Allgood ABSTRACT -the-ground swimming pool is conment that is interchangeable with h of which has pre ents of one of a va 6 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures 1/1967 5/1967 5/1969 Minasy..........

mom FILTER Primary Examiner-Henry K. Artis Almrney-Brumbaugh, Graves, Donohue & Raymond The wall of an above structed with a panel ele other panel elements, eac for receiving the compon ing systems.

TO FILTER .....4/l72.l9,4/172.17 3/16,E04h 3/18 .4/172,172.15,172.17,172.19,

B PUMP 8 PUMP POOL [72] Inventor: Frank Jann uzzi, Sr., 239 Maple Ave.,

North Plainfield, NJ. 07060 Mar. .3, 1971 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS United States Patent J annu'zzi, Sr.

[54] ABOVE-THE-GROUND SWIMIVIING [22] Filed:

[21] Appl.No.:

[51] Inl.Cl..

[58] FieldofSearch.............

United States Patent 1 3,665,524 Jannuzzi, Sr. [45] May 30, 1972 PATENTEDMAY 30 I972 SHEET 10F 3 F/GI his ATTORNEYS PATENTEDMAY 3 0 I972 SHEET 2 BF 3 FROM FILTER 8 PUMP in, o-0M1 his PATENTEDmao I972 3,665; 52d

sum 3 or 3 "I 7g '11. w w w h H P W L ami g W W 1 ABOVE-TI-IE-GROUND SWIMMING POOL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to above-the-ground swimming pools and, more particularly, to interchangeable panels for the structural pool wall.

Conventionally, above-the-ground swimming pools comrise an outer structural wall which extends entirely around the perimeter of the pool and which is formed of sheet material, usually of corrugated metal, fiberglass, or the like. An inner liner is provided which is formed of a plastic or other waterimpermeable material and is positioned within the outer wall.

The inner liner holds the water while the outer wall provides basic support for the water-filled liner. Vertical columns located at suitable spacing outside the pool wall support the upper rim of the pool.

The water in above-the-ground pools, as in any type of swimming pool, must be cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis, and many types of filtering and chlorinating systems have been developed which are adaptable for use with abovetheground pools. Some systems simply utilize a hose or conduit that is dropped over the pool wall and into the pool water. This simple system has the disadvantages of being unsightly and very vulnerable to damage by swimmers using the pool. Moreover, in this type of system a head loss frequently occurs in the pump which results in the need to prime the pump to maintain operation of the system.

In other types of pool water-conditioning systems the components can be attached to openings which pass through the pool wall and inner liner. The openings, however, sometimes weaken the portion of the pool wall in which they are located, and it may be necessary that the entire wall be fabricated from a material of a greater thickness just to accommodate the openings which are located in only a small portion of the wall.

. In addition, if the water-conditioning equipment needs to be replaced or a new system is desired, installation of a different system is foreclosed unless equipment utilizing the same size and configuration of openings can be found, or the unusable openings are patched and new ones formed, or a new pool wall and liner are purchased. Each of the alternatives is at best bothersome and can be quite costly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION As a workable and practical solution to the problems mentioned above, there is provided, in accordance with the invention, an above-the-ground pool that comprises a main structural pool wall component formed of sheet material extending around substantially the entire perimeter of the pool but having vertical ends spaced apart from each other, and a structural pool wall panel formed of sheet material having vertical ends secured to the vertical ends of the main wall component and bridging the space between the main pool wall ends to complete the wall. The main wall component has no openings, but the panel includes a plurality of openings formed to accommodate components of pool water-conditioning equipment. The panels are interchangeable with a variety of other panels that include various configurations of openings, thereby enabling the pool structure to be adapted for use with a variety of pool water-conditioning systems.

Because of the inherent structural weakening of the panel caused by the presence of the holes, the thickness of the sheet material forming the panel is preferably greater than that of the sheet material forming the main structural pool wall. To enable the panel to be quickly and easily removed or inserted, adjoining edges of the panel and structural pool wall are hooked and joined by a coupling element.

In one embodiment, the panel includes at least two outlet openings through which water may be withdrawn from the pool, one of the outlet openings being located near the bottom of the pool. The panel further includes at least two inlet openings through which water may be reintroduced into the pool, one of the inlet openings being located near the top of the pool and another being located near the bottom of the pool. In other embodiments, the panel can include any number and configuration of a combination of inlet and outlet openings. Each panel, however, can be removed and replaced by another panel in which is a different configuration of openings. In this manner, a normal pool wall for the abovethe-ground pools is afforded great versatility in being able to accommodate a variety of pool water-conditioning systems.

In the embodiment of the invention in which the panel has two outlet openings, an outlet conduit can be connected to each outlet opening, the outlet conduits joining a common conduit. A valve is associated with the outlet conduits for selectively withdrawing water from the pool through each opening individually or through all the openings simultaneously. The openings can further include at least two inlet openings through which water can be reintroduced into the pool, one inlet opening being located near the top of the pool and another being located near the bottom. An inlet conduit can be connected to each inlet opening, the inlet conduits joining a common conduit. An inlet valve is associated with the inlet conduits for selectively introducing water into the pool through each inlet opening individually or through all the inlet openings simultaneously.

One of the outlet conduits can be connected to a chlorinating device, with the valve regulating the amount of withdrawn pool water flowing through the chlorinating device in accordance with the total amount of water being withdrawn from the pool. In this manner, the level of pool chlorination is, in part, regulated by the valve. The chlorinating device preferably includes a perforated basket having one or more compartments in the path of flow of the withdrawn pool water andis for receiving a chlorine stick.

There can also be provided, in accordance with the invention, a flexible hose extending into the pool and having one end connected to the inlet conduit located near the bottom of the poo] wall. The hose oscillates back and forth when water at a sufficient velocity flows into the pool through the hose, thereby agitating dirt lying in the bottom of the pool. With the provision of such a hose, the inlet valve can be adjusted to regulate the amount of water flowing into the pool through the hose in a manner providing a desired level of oscillation or "whipping" of the hose along the pool bottom.

Among the advantages of the invention is the versatility afforded by the incorporation of an interchangeable panel in the wall of an above-the-ground swimming pool because filtering and chlorinating systems of many types and designs can be fitted to a standard pool simply by removing the old panel and replacing it with one that can accomodate a different system. With the equipment being attached to openings located only in the interchangeable panel, the remainder of the structural pool wall can be formed of material of a lesser thickness without weakening the portion of the pool wall where the openings are located, thereby reducing construction costs of the pool.

In addition, occasionally during installation, the installer does not form a sufficiently tight fit between the components of the pool water conditioning system and the pool wall at the openings and leakage occurs around them. Such leakage causes corrosion and possible ultimate failure of the wall at the openings. By having the holes located in the interchangeable panels, just that panel would have to be replaced and not the entire pool wall if corrosion does occur.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following description of exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an above-the-ground swimming pool constructed in accordance with the invention, selected portions being broken away for clear illustration;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the panel element and the pool water-conditioning system of FIG. 1, the view being on a larger scale than that in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view in section of the panel element illustrated in FIG. 2, and portions of the components of the pool water-conditioning system; and

FIGS. 4-7 show panel elements with various configurations of pre-formed openings.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIG. 1, reference numeral indicates generally an above-the-ground swimming pool embodying the invention. The pool 10 comprises an outer structural wall component 12 formed of a rigid material, such as corrugated sheet metal (see FIG. 3), and an inner liner 14 formed of a flexible plastic film or other suitable water-impermeable material. The outer edge of the inner liner 14 overlaps the upper edge of the outer wall 12 and is attached to it by means of a coping 16. The inner liner 14 is the element of the pool structure that contains the water while the outer wall 12 provides the needed back-up support for the liner. The pool 10 also includes an upper deck or seat 18 and vertical column supports 20 that back up the wall and carry any loads imposed on the deck 18. A bottom rail 22 extends around the lower perimeter of the wall 12 and maintains the shape of the bottom of the pool 10.

The outer wall 12 is composed of one or more main wall sections 26 and an interchangeable panel 24. The main wall section 26 may be formed of a single sheet of rigid material, or of more than one sheet, as shown in FIG. 1. Where two or more separate sheets make up the main wall section, they are joined at their adjoining vertical edges by any of a number of types of suitable connectors. A simple and effective connection is provided by bending the edges of the sheets to be joined into a hooked or .I-shaped flange 30 and by sliding a C-shaped coupling element 32 over the adjoining .l flanges, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3.

As mentioned above, the interchangeable panel 24 includes suitable pre-formed openings. The openings are illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 7 with each figure depitting configuration adaptable for use with a different system of pool water-conditioning equipment, the various systems being described in greater detail below.

The panel element 24 is formed of rigid sheet material. However, because the openings tend to weaken the panel element 24, the sheet material from which the panel element 24 is fabricated is preferably of a heavier gauge than that of the material used for the main wall section 26.

Now, referring to FIG. 2, an example of the type of waterconditioning system that can be used with the panel element 24 is shown, the panel element 24 having the configuration of pre-formed openings illustrated in FIG. 4. Reference numeral 36 designates a skimmer that is attached to a rectangular, relatively large outlet opening 38 (see FIG. 4), which is one of two openings through which water can be withdrawn from the pool 10. The opening 38 is located near the top of the pool 10 and the preferred water level, as indicated by the broken line 40 in FIG. 2, is at some point along the vertical dimension of the opening 38. In this way, leaves, scum and other dirt floating on the surface of the water in the pool 10 are drawn into the water-conditioning system to be removed by screening and filtering.

A screen (not shown) is contained within the skimmer 36 in the path of flow of water being withdrawn from the pool 10 for removing the larger-sized foreign matter contained in the water skimmed from the pool water surface. A porous container such as a perforated basket 42 is also positioned within the line of water flow, the basket 42 including compartments 43 that receive chlorine sticks 44, blocks of a slow-dissolving chlorine-containing material. Water being withdrawn from the pool 10 through the skimmer 36 passes over the chlorine sticks 44, dissolves them at a slow rate, and flows on through the perforations in the basket 42 for ultimate return to the pool, thereby providing a simple and effective method of chlorinating the pool water. The skimmer 36 also includes a removable top 46, so that the screen can be removed and cleaned and the supply of chlorine sticks 44 can be replenished from time to time. A conduit 48 is attached to the bottom outlet opening of the skimmer 36 and conducts the contaminated water skimmed from the pool to a filter, as described below.

The panel 24 of FIG. 4 (see also FIG. 2) has another preformed opening 50, through which water can be withdrawn from the pool 10, located near the bottom of the pool wall. Attached to the opening 50 is an outlet conduit 52. The conduits 48 and 52 are connected at a T to a common outlet conduit 54. A proportioning valve is located at the juncture of the outlet conduits 48 and 52 and the common outlet conduit 54 and regulates the flow of pool water through the outlet openings 38 and 50 so that water can be withdrawn from the pool 10 through each opening exclusively or through both openings simultaneously. In this manner, the rate of chlorination can be regulated by increasing or decreasing the amount of pool water being withdrawn through the opening 38 and flowing over the chlorine sticks 44, in relation to the total amount of water withdrawn. Also, a desired cleaning result can be attained in accordance with a given condition of the pool; for example, if it is desired to emphasize cleaning of the bottom of the pool, the valve 55 is set to provide relatively higher, or even exclusive, outflow from the bottom outlet, thereby drawing off water and entrained impurities from the lower part of the pool. Similarly, skimming from the top of the pool can be emphasized over bottom withdrawal. An infinite range of adjustment is possible, and this feature represents a significant advantage to maintaining the pool water in top condition.

It is readily apparent that a single valve at the juncture of the outlet conduits 48 and 52 and the common outlet conduit 54 can be replaced by a valve located at some point along each of the outlet conduits 48 and 52, with the same results.

An outlet branch conduit 56 is connected at one end to the common outlet conduit 54 and at the other end to a pump and filter 57, which are shown schematically as a single unit in FIG. 1. The pump withdraws water from the pool through the outlet openings 38 or 50, or both (as described above) and pumps it through the filter, from which it is conducted to a main return or for reintroduction into the pool 10.

An inlet conduit section is connected at one end to the return conduit 58 and at the other end to inlet branch conduits 62 and 64. The branch conduit 62 leads to an inlet opening 66 (see FIGS. 2 and 4) which is located near the top of the pool 10 and below the preferred water level 40, and the branch conduit 64 leads to an inlet opening 68 which is located near the bottom of the pool 10. At the juncture of the inlet conduit section 60 and the inlet branch conduits 62 and 64 is a proportioning type valve which can be controlled to regulate the flow of the filtered and chlorinated water back into the pool 10. The water can be reintroduced through either the top inlet opening 66 or the bottom inlet opening 68, exclusively, or through both simultaneously in controlled proportions. Also, as described above with regard to the outlet conduits, the valve in the inlet conduits can be replaced by a separate valve in each conduit 62 and 64 and accomplish the same result.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a flexible hose or jet whip 72 may be attached to the lower input opening 68, and extend into the pool. 10. By adjusting the valve 70 the proper flow rate through jet whip 72 can be regulated. When water at a sufficiently velocity is reintroduced into the pool 10 through the jet whip 72, it will oscillate or whip back and forth and agitate dirt on the pool bottom to dislodge it and put it in suspension. The dirt can then be drawn off through the bottom outlet opening 50 to be removed by the filter, and a more efficient cleaning of the water will be accomplished.

In addition to the filter and pump, a water heater (not shown) and other suitable pool equipment may also be in the system. Gauges, generally designated by the numeral 76 as illustrated in FIG. 2, can be included in the system to indicate water pressure, vacuum pressure, flow rate, water temperature, or other variable factors with regard to the circulated pool water.

As mentioned above, the pool water-conditioning system illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 utilizes the configuration of the preformed openings included in the panel element 24 shown in FIG. 4. Because the panel element 24 can easily be replaced by other panel elements in which are formed other configurations of openings, a variety of such systems can readily be adapted for use with a single pool.

FIG. 5, for instance,'shows a panel element 24 which has a single outlet opening 78 and a single inlet opening 80. In FIG. 6, the same configuration as in FIG. 5 is shown, but with the inclusion of an outlet opening 82 to which can be attached a pool vacuum cleaning apparatus. The opening 78 which accommodates the skimmer 36 is shown as being larger than the corresponding opening 78 in FIG. 5, to illustrate that the size of that opening as well as the other openings can be varied in different pane elements 24. FIG. 7 shows a panel element 24 with a configuration of the openings similar to that in FIG. 6, but also including an inlet opening 84 to accommodate a jet whip 72. The configurations of openings as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 are by no means all inclusive. The great versatility afforded the pool 10 by providing a pool wall that includes the panel element 24, is that any number of water-conditioning systems can be adapted for use with the pool 10.

An aerator (not shown) can be attached to the conduit 62 near the inlet opening 66 on either side of the pool wall for introducing air into the flowing stream of water that is being reintroduced into the pool. The aerator can simply be a short length of tubing with a valve or other suitable adjusting means attached to it to regulate the amount of air that is drawn into the stream by the suction caused by the flowing water. The use of this simple device to aerate the water flowing into the pool has been found to have a pleasing therapeutic effect on a person who stands close to the opening.

Thus, there is provided, in accordance with the invention, an interchangeable panel for an above-the-ground swimming pool. The embodiments of the invention described above are intended to be merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art will be able to make numerous variations and modifications, in addition to those mentioned above, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

7 I claim:

1. An above-the-ground swimming pool having a peripheral wall comprising a main structural pool wall component formed of sheet material extending around substantially the entire perimeter of the pool and having vertical ends spaced apart from each other, having no openings therein, and a structural pool wall panel formed of sheet material having vertical ends secured to the vertical ends of the main wall component and bridging the space between said main wall component ends to complete the peripheral wall, the panel including a plurality of openings formed therein, such openings constituting the only openings in the peripheral wall and arranged to accommodate components of pool water-conditioning equipment, said panel being interchangeable with a variety of such panels with various configurations of openings, thereby readily to adapt the pool structure to a variety of pool waterconditioning systems.

2. An above-the-ground swimming pool in accordance with claim 1, wherein the thickness of the sheet material forming the panel is thicker than the sheet material forming the structural pool wall component.

3. An above-the-ground swimming pool in accordance with claim 1, wherein adjoining edges of the panel and structural pool wall component are hooked and joined by a companion coupling element.

4. An above-the-ground swimming pool in accordance with claim 1, wherein the panel includes at least two outlet openings through which water can be withdrawn from the pool, one located ,near the top of the pool and the other located near the bottom of the pool, and the panel further including a pair of inlet openings, through which water can be introduced into the pool, one located near the top of the pool and the other located near the bottom of the pool.

5. An above-the-ground swimming pool in accordance with claim 1, wherein the panel includes one outlet opening located near the top of the pool for withdrawing water from the pool, and further including one inlet opening located near the top of the pool for reintroducing water into the pool.

6. An above-the-ground swimming pool having a peripheral wall comprising a main structural pool wall component formed of sheet material extending around substantially the entire perimeter of the pool and having vertical ends spaced apart from each other, a structural pool wall panel formed of sheet material of which the thickness is greater than that of the sheet material forming the main pool wall component. the panel having vertical ends secured to the vertical ends of the main wall component and bridging the space between said main panel to complete the peripheral wall, the vertical ends of the pool wall component and the panel being hooked and joined by a coupling element, the panel including a pair of outlet openings through which water can be withdrawn from the pool, one located near the top of the pool and the other located near the bottom of the pool, and further including a pair of inlet openings through which water can be introduced into the pool, one located near the top of the pool and the other located near the bottom, such openings constituting the only openings in the peripheral wall, the panel being interchangeable with a variety of such panels with various configurations of openings, thereby readily to adapt the pool structure to a variety of pool water-conditioning systems.

533 3 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 65,524

Dated May 30, 1972 Inventor(s) RANK JANNUZZI, SR.

It .is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 16, insert "a" between "at" and "suitable"; line 36, "waterconditioning" should be -water conditioning; Column 3, line 38, delete "depitting configuration" and substitute -depicting a configuration-; line 42, insert "a" between "of" and "rigid"; Column 4, line 61, delete period after "pool"; line 64, insert quotation marks around whip, second instance; line 70, insert "included" after "be"; Column 5, line 16, delete "pane" and insert -panel-; lines 18 to 19, insert quotation marks around jet whip; line 47, delete "having no openings therein,".

Signed and sealed this 2nd day of'January 1973.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD MJLETCHERJR. I ROBERT. GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. An above-the-ground swimmiNg pool having a peripheral wall comprising a main structural pool wall component formed of sheet material extending around substantially the entire perimeter of the pool and having vertical ends spaced apart from each other, having no openings therein, and a structural pool wall panel formed of sheet material having vertical ends secured to the vertical ends of the main wall component and bridging the space between said main wall component ends to complete the peripheral wall, the panel including a plurality of openings formed therein, such openings constituting the only openings in the peripheral wall and arranged to accommodate components of pool waterconditioning equipment, said panel being interchangeable with a variety of such panels with various configurations of openings, thereby readily to adapt the pool structure to a variety of pool water-conditioning systems.
 2. An above-the-ground swimming pool in accordance with claim 1, wherein the thickness of the sheet material forming the panel is thicker than the sheet material forming the structural pool wall component.
 3. An above-the-ground swimming pool in accordance with claim 1, wherein adjoining edges of the panel and structural pool wall component are hooked and joined by a companion coupling element.
 4. An above-the-ground swimming pool in accordance with claim 1, wherein the panel includes at least two outlet openings through which water can be withdrawn from the pool, one located near the top of the pool and the other located near the bottom of the pool, and the panel further including a pair of inlet openings, through which water can be introduced into the pool, one located near the top of the pool and the other located near the bottom of the pool.
 5. An above-the-ground swimming pool in accordance with claim 1, wherein the panel includes one outlet opening located near the top of the pool for withdrawing water from the pool, and further including one inlet opening located near the top of the pool for reintroducing water into the pool.
 6. An above-the-ground swimming pool having a peripheral wall comprising a main structural pool wall component formed of sheet material extending around substantially the entire perimeter of the pool and having vertical ends spaced apart from each other, a structural pool wall panel formed of sheet material of which the thickness is greater than that of the sheet material forming the main pool wall component, the panel having vertical ends secured to the vertical ends of the main wall component and bridging the space between said main panel to complete the peripheral wall, the vertical ends of the pool wall component and the panel being hooked and joined by a coupling element, the panel including a pair of outlet openings through which water can be withdrawn from the pool, one located near the top of the pool and the other located near the bottom of the pool, and further including a pair of inlet openings through which water can be introduced into the pool, one located near the top of the pool and the other located near the bottom, such openings constituting the only openings in the peripheral wall, the panel being interchangeable with a variety of such panels with various configurations of openings, thereby readily to adapt the pool structure to a variety of pool water-conditioning systems. 